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  • JeepLab Prodigy Install LIVE

    Ok, So the install went pretty much off without a hitch.

    The plan was for us, JL guys, who had never seen a turbo before, install it with the Prodigy guys watching for issues as we went. Our ace, Carolina Pete lead the charge, as usual. Like any true mechanic, it was hard for Wes from Prodigy to watch from the side lines and not get dirty with the rest of us.

    Wes was a master mechanic before he was 21. He owns 2 garages in FL. The guys knows cars, and he knows forced induction.

    Jessee is one of our guys, who offered to put his jeep on the operating table in the name of science. LOL. Jess was an excellent sport and was just as busy with the install as the other guys.

    Here's a shot of Jessee as he opened the Turbo.





    This article was originally published in forum thread: JeepLab Prodigy Install LIVE started by JeepLab View original post
    Comments 253 Comments
    1. NOLAjeeper's Avatar
      NOLAjeeper -
      Pickles, I'll take pictures of the set up. I'll get them this evening.
    1. NOLAjeeper's Avatar
      NOLAjeeper -
      Quote Originally Posted by jeepsking View Post
      Thanks Nola for pictures. Usually boost sensor comes after the throttle body. So it might be fitted on the intake beneath the engine cover.
      Ahh yes! I'll get some pics up of that as well this evening.
    1. UselessPickles's Avatar
      UselessPickles -
      jeepsking: An existing hard plastic vacuum line for the "purge control valve" is replaced with a vacuum hose with 2 "T" fittings. The wastegate and BOV sensing lines connect to the two T's on that vacuum line.



      Given the above diagram, both the wastegate and BOV are connected to "C" using a vacuum line shared with each other and the purge control valve.


      This is not the ideal setup.

      Ideally, the BOV should have its own dedicated line connected directly to the intake manifold, rather than teed into an existing line. Having a dedicated line ensures the quickest possible response of the BOV.

      The wastegate should ideally not be connected to a vacuum source. Even TiAL (manufacturer of the wastegate) specifically says to use a pre-throttle-body boost source. It should be connected to either "A" or "B" in the diagram. Here's a good read about wastegate boost source options: http://www.miataturbo.net/diy-turbo-...eed-ebc-47532/

      Post #15 in that thread specifically talks about why the wastegate should NOT be connected to the intake manifold (position "C" in the diagram).

      I have asked Prodigy about this, and they say they have zero issues with their setup. Also, they say they tested the wastegate boost source both before (position "B" ) and after (position "C") the throttle body and found no difference. They chose position "C" and shared vacuum lines for ease of installation.


      I'm not too concerned about the BOV having its own dedicated vacuum line. If the BOV responds quickly with a shared line, then it's fine.

      I'm more concerned about the potential part throttle issues with the wastegate being connected to position "C" (see post #15 in the linked thread above).

      Connecting the wastegate to the intake manifold seems to be a controversial subject on the internet. Many people on forums say they have run that way for years with no problems. Other people report part-throttle drivability issues and part-throttle high load compressor surge (like when driving up a long hill). Some people say the intake manifold source will give you quicker spooling and faster throttle response. I'm sure the exact outcome depends on many factors and the entire turbo/engine system as a whole. I've read many threads on the topic and talked to both TiAL and Prodigy directly. Based on all of that, I have concluded for myself that there's no good reason to disregard TiAL's instructions to specifically use a pre-throttle-body boost-only (no vacuum) source to control the wastegate.

      For this reason, I decided to order one of these that I will use to add a boost source to the silicone coupler/elbow that connects to the throttle body (position "B" in the diagram):

      http://www.atpturbo.com/mm5/merchant...egory_Code=BCS

      Attachment 1023

      It's a very simple/inexpensive modification to make me happy that I've done it the "right way". I will probably try both the Prodigy setup and my modified setup to see if I notice any differences.
    1. jeepsking's Avatar
      jeepsking -
      Thanks Jeff for these info's. What about the boost sensor pick up point to the gauge. As far as I know it should be in position "C".
    1. UselessPickles's Avatar
      UselessPickles -
      Oh, yeah. Boost gauge should always be at position "C". Ideally, each component should have its own dedicated line, rather than using T fittings to split/share lines to a vacuum/boost source. But that would require adding new barbed hose fittings to the intake manifold for the BOV and boost gauge. I haven't found any good info on how to add fittings to a plastic intake manifold yet.
    1. NOLAjeeper's Avatar
      NOLAjeeper -
      Quote Originally Posted by jeepsking View Post
      Thanks Nola for pictures. Usually boost sensor comes after the throttle body. So it might be fitted on the intake beneath the engine cover.
      Attachment 1025

      This what your looking for? Looks like they used the T fitting method.
    1. jeepsking's Avatar
      jeepsking -
      Yes it is. So adding T fitting gives inaccurate boost reading?
    1. UselessPickles's Avatar
      UselessPickles -
      Not inaccurate. Just potentially slower response, and probably on the scale of hundredths of a second difference. It wouldn't matter at all for the boost gauge. For the BOV, as long as it responds quickly enough to avoid compressor surge, then the T fitting for that is fine too. A dedicated vacuum source for the BOV might possibly keep the turbo spooled a bit better during gear changes, but whether or not the difference is worth the effort of creating a dedicated vacuum source would require testing and data logging to determine.
    1. Yoinkers's Avatar
      Yoinkers -
      Testing and Data logging! Yeah!

      staying spooled with the turbo is my main concern with it. If there was a way to blend an sc with a turbo, so that it worked of the engine low, and exhaust high it would solve all problems.

      Work that out, will you pickles?
    1. UselessPickles's Avatar
      UselessPickles -
      Quote Originally Posted by Yoinkers View Post
      If there was a way to blend an sc with a turbo...
      That's called "twincharging": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twincharger

      It's very complex to get it done right. I would not want to be the one to try to combine a turbo kit with a supercharger kit on a previously non-boosted engine and get it all working/tuned properly. I would also not want to pay the bill for a performance shop to figure it all out. It appears that the Magnuson supercharger would be physically compatible with the Prodigy turbo. Who wants to try it?
    1. FLIPmeOVER's Avatar
      FLIPmeOVER -
      NOLA Jeeper!

      werent you going to dyno?
    1. AGOM's Avatar
      AGOM -
      Hi all,
      Been reading the posts for sometime, became a member last week and posting for the first time.
      Ordered my Prodigy stage 2, and can't wait to install it, would love to read more feedback. It kinda went all quite.
      Anyone doing an instal on an Auto jk?
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Quote Originally Posted by AGOM View Post
      Hi all,
      Been reading the posts for sometime, became a member last week and posting for the first time.
      Ordered my Prodigy stage 2, and can't wait to install it, would love to read more feedback. It kinda went all quite.
      Anyone doing an instal on an Auto jk?
      WELCOME!

      It did kinda go quiet. Here is the current status, Jesse is away in a training seminar, that our turbo. NOLA, you have an update on your unit?

      Also, with the auto, Wes from prodigy told us that the auto is the faster option as the turbo spools up and stays spooled as the tranny shifts. Not clutch, not power loss. When you get your turbo installed, tell us if you agree.
    1. AGOM's Avatar
      AGOM -
      Thnx JeepLab,
      Sure I will, I don't know when it will ship out, but I'm already clearing up my garage and cleaning up my tools....lol getting really excited with the prep work.
      Also got the Titanium wrap, heat control is going to be a challenge for me here. So any more useful tips on that will be great.
      Anyone managed to fit a snorkel? would really like to use my snorkel it will help with the heat issue.
      I'm doing this instal solo!! So I'm taking notes of all the trials from you and from UselessPickles who has been good with his write up on the instal.
    1. AGOM's Avatar
      AGOM -
      Also if anyone has any advise on exhaust mods.
    1. Pznivy's Avatar
      Pznivy -
      Quote Originally Posted by AGOM View Post
      Also if anyone has any advise on exhaust mods.
      I would hold off on the exhaust until prodigy tells us who they prefer, as anyone can bend pipe, all exhausts are not created equal.
    1. UselessPickles's Avatar
      UselessPickles -
      There was also some talk about Prodigy getting a cat-back exhaust system custom designed for use with their turbo kit.

      I'm quite happy with the turbo and stock exhaust combination. During normal gentle driving and steady cruising, there are no sounds that would cause anyone to suspect that my Jeep has any performance mods.
    1. AGOM's Avatar
      AGOM -
      That is also a good point U.P, but any compromise on performance?
    1. NOLAjeeper's Avatar
      NOLAjeeper -
      Quote Originally Posted by FLIPmeOVER View Post
      NOLA Jeeper!

      werent you going to dyno?
      That was the plan, but the shop had issues with the CPU. They couldnt get the jeep into dyno mode and once on the dyno the jeep would not shift out of 1st gear. They couldnt figure it out. Diablo and Prodigy had no answers to the issue.. Yeah was a bummer.
    1. NOLAjeeper's Avatar
      NOLAjeeper -
      Quote Originally Posted by AGOM View Post
      Also if anyone has any advise on exhaust mods.
      i have this on my jeep: Dynomax® Ultra Flo Evolution Competition Cat-Back Exhaust in Stainless Steel. I had it before i installed the turbo system. I like it and it sounds great. Eddie from Wayalife has a video of his Jeep (Rubicat) with a view from inside as well as outside. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPe0O9TPfj4
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